Winning in Sports and Entertainment with Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil, Co-Founders of Mortal Media
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They delve into the synergy of sports and business and share their inspiring journey from athletics to film production.
“If you don't put in the work, you don't have a good work ethic, and you don't continue to keep your humility in line with your actual talent, you're not gonna truly accomplish what you want”
— Blake Griffin
“The biggest thing is just defining pretty early what success is to you. Life's full of peaks and valleys, and the arbitrary finish line changes. It changes culturally. It changes personally. And sports has been a great teacher for us.”
— Ryan Kalil
Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil, celebrated titans in the world of sports, have teamed up to create Mortal Media, a production company making significant strides in the entertainment industry. Griffin and Kalil have transitioned from sports to Hollywood, a journey filled with its own challenges and successes. With a deep passion for storytelling and a commitment to pushing boundaries, they share their path of mastering the entertainment playbook, shedding light on their vision for Mortal Media and the exciting projects that lie ahead.
Blake is a 14-year NBA veteran, 6x NBA All-Star, and 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year, currently playing with the Boston Celtics. Ryan played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Carolina Panthers. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro and played in Super Bowl 50.
Together, they are finding success in a whole other arena with Mortal Media, a production company that produces a number of film and television projects at various studios, networks, and streaming services such as Apple, Netflix, Comedy Central, Paramount, Fox, and Disney.
Discover Blake and Ryan's success story from pro athletes to producers by reading the transcript below or exploring the key takeaways from the episode.
From Sports to Business: Moving from sports to the business world can pose challenges. Blake and Ryan approached this by recognizing the qualities that contributed to their success in sports and applying them to their new venture. They emphasized traits like humility and hard work from the outset, seeking guidance from accomplished mentors. Embracing their status as rookies in the business world, they approached it with open-mindedness, seeing it as an opportunity to acquire knowledge and grow.
Reimagining White Men Can't Jump: Collaborations with renowned names like Kenya Barris and Jack Harlow led to projects like White Men Can't Jump. Their journey began in 2017 when they met with Kenya to reimagine the 1992 classic, considering how sports and culture had evolved since then. Overcoming obstacles, from pitching to Kenya to navigating the Fox-Disney merger, proved challenging. Nevertheless, the excitement during filming was palpable, especially as the film garnered impressive streaming numbers and received positive feedback from Hulu and Disney. These trials and triumphs, reminiscent of their athletic careers, taught Blake and Ryan valuable lessons in resilience and adaptability.
A Fresh Take on Animation for the Next Generation: Mortal Media recently announced an exciting, strategic investment in Swaybox Studios, a renowned animation studio located in Louisiana. Both Blake and Ryan share a deep passion for animation, and with children of their own, they understand the demand for content that families can enjoy together. What sets Swaybox Studios apart is its inventive approach to animation, which not only brings fresh perspectives but also ensures faster and more cost-effective results.
Blake and Ryan’s Winning Formula: According to Blake and Ryan, the key to success lies in a combination of discipline, passion, and the ability to listen and adapt. They emphasize the importance of discipline in one's daily routine and stress the need to be passionate about your pursuits. Moreover, they encourage individuals to be open to criticism and advice while staying true to their own vision. Ultimately, if you're deeply passionate about something, the challenges will feel like a natural part of the journey, and you'll find a way to overcome them.
Listen to Blake and Ryan on the Speed of Culture podcast today to learn more about their success in the entertainment industry.
